

Paperback: 129 pages
Publisher: Servant Books (May 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 086716977X
ISBN-13: 978-0867169775
Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.2 x 6 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #888,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #202 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Mariology #1397 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Biographies > Saints #1792 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Theology > Christology

In this primer on Mary, Chris Padgett explains Marian devotion and why we should care about the Blessed Virgin. Mary, he writes, cheers us on and helps us in our transformation to the image and likeness of Jesus. As these basic ideas suggest, this is a book for those who have mistaken impressions or limited understanding of Mary as presented in scripture and Church teaching. With informal language and uncomplicated imagery, Padgett presents his material in a manner especially suited to youth.A glossary includes simple explanations of such terms as advocate, divine revelation, dogma, and original sin. The chapter on Mary and the Trinity explains Mary as daughter of the Father, mother of the Son, and spouse of the Holy Spirit. The next chapter tackles four major truths the Church teachers about Mary: (1) her role as Mother of God, (2) her perpetual virginity, (3) the Immaculate Conception, and (4) the assumption.In a chapter on spiritual warfare, Padgett describes Mary as our advocate in the fight against Satan. He discusses the evil one's war against the family marked by masculinization of women; denigration of stay-at-home-moms and those with more than three children; the doctrine of pro-choice; surrogacy; long hours at day care; and divorce.Padgett quotes widely from Scripture and Vatican documents, providing readers with a wealth of sources to continue their study of Mary beyond the basics presented here.
This book was a delightful surprise and testament to the fact that there is always something more to say about the Blessed Virgin Mary.Padgett's words are vivid and he describes deep theology with a sense of humor and complete humility, a combination I found both unexpected and enjoyable.Whether you have a devotion to Mary or are looking to learn more, I recommend this book as a great addition for your personal (and parish!) library.
Five times he misquotes Genesis 3:15, in saying that Mary is the one who crushes the serpent's head. (Pages:39, 41, 54, 61, 95-6). " I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Note the "he" and "his" is not Mary but her seed Jesus.As you read further in the book, his patronizing and condescending tone towards Protestants becomes more evident.When speaking of the Eucharist, he states, "this takes on a depth that most fundamentalist Protestant denominations honestly cannot comprehend."At one point he insists,"If we want to be like Jesus, we need to love Mary as our mother" and makes many other such comments, but then states the truth outright with, "God is not locked into one way when it comes to a person becoming a saint."His theological arguments were weak and on more than one occasion he jumps to conclusions with false reasoning.It is easy to see his love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin, but emotional arguments do not stand up to logic.On the positive side, he does use easy terminology for one who may not have grown up Catholic.I would recommend this book if you want to know more about some Catholic views on Mariology however it does have weak arguments that are easy to refute, but it does let one look into the mind of a devotee.
This gave a good basic overview of Marian theology, especially for a recent concert from Protestantism. I enjoyed Chris's inclusion of humor. His description of the struggles of family prayer time was pretty hilarious.
Matthew 12:46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.”[ao] 48 But [ap]Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”How dare the Son of God speak about the "mother of God" like that!Oh poor people who follow the RC church, deceived and misguided!Consider why you do not follow the "grandmother" or "grandfather" of God!?!?My heart breaks for your souls. Turn to Jesus alone as Mediator and Savior!
Wholly Mary: Mother of God Mother of God: A History of the Virgin Mary The Mother's Songs: Images of God the Mother Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Finding God Helping Others: Life of Mother Teresa A Monstrous Regiment of Women: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes: The Mary Russell Series, Book 2 The Moor: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes: Mary Russell, Book 4 Mary, Bloody Mary Mary Tudor: Courageous Queen or Bloody Mary? (Wicked History (Paperback)) Mary Telfair to Mary Few: Selected Letters, 1802-1844 (The Publications of the Southern Texts Society Ser.) Mary Russell's War (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes) Mary, Bloody Mary: A Young Royals Book At Blackwater Pond: Mary Oliver reads Mary Oliver Mary Poppins: The Mary Poppins Series, Book 1 The Murder of Mary Russell: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Many Miles: Mary Oliver reads Mary Oliver Mary in the Middle Ages: The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Thought of Medieval Latin Theologians The Mystical City of God, Volume II "The Incarnation": The Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God (Volumes 1 to 4) (Volume 2) Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God The Mystical City of God, Volume I "The Conception": The Divine History and Life of the Virgin Mother of God (Volumes 1 to 4) (Volume 1) Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose: One Hundred Best-Loved Verses